This Alligator Strapped to an SUV on I-95 is the Most Florida Thing You’ll See Today
A Chevy Traverse measures about 79 inches wide on the outside and around 60 inches wide inside. Not wide enough to fit this alligator comfortably in the trunk, the driver had no choice but to tie it to the rear bumper. Although the feet are still free, the rope used to strap the snout to the tail deserves its own name.
Karen Kress shared this image on her Facebook page on Sept. 4, after witnessing this spectacle on I-95 the day before. Alligator season in Florida runs from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1. It’s worth mentioning that Kress works as the director of transportation and planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership, making her an expert on optimizing transportation.
“Definitely disbelief!” Kress told the Miami Herald when asked about her reaction to the incident. “I moved here 30 years ago because of the nature and never tire of seeing an alligator. However, [I] never expected … to spot one on the interstate!”
While there has been much discussion about the advisability of strapping deer to vehicles as a diplomatic gesture to the non-hunting public, this incident seems to be causing less controversy. Floridians are used to seeing much worse, after all. Kress, although a vegetarian, wasn’t disturbed by the sight.
“I don’t have a problem if this was a permitted legal hunt,” she said.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s alligator population is around 1.3 million. The agency operates a Nuisance Alligator Hotline where people can report potentially problematic gators, which have become more common in recent years. For the 2022 hunting season, huntable hours were extended to 24 hours a day to provide more daylight hours for hunting.
The average size of a male alligator is 11.2 feet, but based on the car’s width, we estimate this one to be a little smaller, around 10 to 10.5 feet. However, it’s hard to ignore the size of its head.
As with any viral Facebook post, the comments section on Kress’ photo sparked a wave of jokes about pool floats, rescued pets, and “tailgators.” But one commenter summed it up best:
“See you later, alligator.”
“See you later, alligator.”
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.